Dumb Question - but do you keep the same innertube? or do you need a different one? Spoked wheels don't inflate too good without a tube! I'm really itching to try a car tire on the bike!
Doc
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bytehead
Both are GENERAL ALTIMAX HP 195/65-15 as is mine and many many others, this is the most used tire for our bike because it fits with no problems and last like iron. There is now an RT version which is asymmetric tread. Like most riders, if the tire is still on the bike they love it. The tire is just a superior ride and handles better than the MC tire.
CT 65-80 Dollars, MCT 180 dollars, cost the same to mount both.
So far I have skipped 2 new tire mounts and looking forward to skipping many more.
There are other tire's used that have been proven to have the characteristics we need in a rear tire. Flexible sidewall being the most important.
Different? yes, How different? OK, this is what I noticed after going Darkside on my 2007 V2K for 2,700 miles. Before finding the rear tire pressure sweet spot after break in period, the car tire will try to stand you up some and on uneven surfaces pull you around and countersteering in turns. With that said, it does however make for a smooth ride over bumps and railroad tracks, really absorbs the small crap in the road I felt with my 240 mettzler. After settling at 32PSI solo on rear tire pressure, INCREDIBLE!! countersteer is minimal, road crowns and my driveway are minimal, hugs the road like glue scraping the floorboards, riding in the rain is something I try to skip but got caught going home from work yesterday and I ran 75mph 90% of the way and it felt,rode and handled like a champ!! I will end with saying it is not for everyone, especially beginners, when I pull out of a turn on the BEAST the back tire will feel like it slid a little and that may rattle a newbie. I have never felt unsafe riding solo or 2up and really pushed it to be sure it was, I aint going back!!! Darksider out!!!
Thanks for sharing! Love the pics of the tire and bike.
I believe the greatest con that I've been able to find on going darkside is that car tire manufacturers cannot be held liable should the tire fail on a bike because they are not designed for our bikes.
Just think ... a tire not designed for
Bikes with no liability .... go figure
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I found this thread to be quite informative, I am a newbie so I probably won't be trying this for a while but I do have a question. Aren't CT's more apt to "blow out" than a motorcycle tire? Just curious, seems like a good value tho...
Dumb Question - but do you keep the same innertube? or do you need a different one? Spoked wheels don't inflate too good without a tube! I'm really itching to try a car tire on the bike!
Doc
I'm with doc on this one.....any darksiders running a tube?
Also, a fella by the nic, MR.CLEAN, ALWAYS RECOMMENDED you give the rim a wax job before mounting. Makes it much easier for the bead to set. This is an important tip. Apparently many shops have trouble getting the tire on.....the slippery rim helps tremendously. Seems like a lot of newer members contemplating the darkside don't know about this....makes life a lot easier....according to mr. clean. He was a wealth of info, haven't seen him around for a spell. He was kinda the "ponch" of the 900 section.
__________________
2009 VN900 Classic LT.
Nova Scotia, Canada.
Cobra luggage rack.
Kuryakyn Grand Tourer luggage bag.
Kuryakyn air filter cover.
170/80/15 Metzler rear tire.
Fire and Ice passenger floorboards.
Stage 2 debaffle (screens left intact).
I know some people switch to 900 Custom rims to run darkside, so they don't need a tube.
(Shameless plug: I've got one for sale in the for sale section! WITH a Car Tire already mounted! )
__________________
"8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8 (NIV)
2006 Vulcan 900 Classic LT "Couch-a-Saki/Mini-Bagger" Fire and Steel Highway Bars w/ pegs, Mustang seat, Harley-Davidson King TourPak, Mutazu MU Hard Bags, Rick's Stator, and more to come!
2011 Honda Shadow Aero 750 (Wife's) Memphis shades windshield, and one happy new rider!
Member of the Christian Motorcyclist Association
VROC: 34661
Patriot Guard Rider
Dumb Question - but do you keep the same innertube? or do you need a different one? Spoked wheels don't inflate too good without a tube! I'm really itching to try a car tire on the bike!
Doc
Yes same tube, and while you are at it toss in some DYNA BEADS for balancing. Beads go in the tube 3 oz.
13,000 and still on the same tire.
__________________
John
"I am a modern cowboy, on a steel horse I ride"
09 VN900 Classic
Big 3 +++++
Double Darkside
I'm with doc on this one.....any darksiders running a tube?
Also, a fella by the nic, MR.CLEAN, ALWAYS RECOMMENDED you give the rim a wax job before mounting. Makes it much easier for the bead to set. This is an important tip. Apparently many shops have trouble getting the tire on.....the slippery rim helps tremendously. Seems like a lot of newer members contemplating the darkside don't know about this....makes life a lot easier....according to mr. clean. He was a wealth of info, haven't seen him around for a spell. He was kinda the "ponch" of the 900 section.
Have not seen anything from MR Clean for a while, the last I heard he was having some health issues.
Yes a wax job helps, but most need to use a grinder on the inner rim to smooth out the really rough spots.
The tires used are about 1/16 of an inch smaller than the rim which makes it hard to seat, but really holds the rim good.
Don't be supprised if it takes over 100 PSI to seat the rim the first time if you don't polish it, people who do the grinding report a much easer time. The second time you mount the same tire is goes right on without a problem.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Romans5.8
I know some people switch to 900 Custom rims to run darkside, so they don't need a tube.
(Shameless plug: I've got one for sale in the for sale section! WITH a Car Tire already mounted! )
Correct if you run a custom rim no tube is needed.
__________________
John
"I am a modern cowboy, on a steel horse I ride"
09 VN900 Classic
Big 3 +++++
Double Darkside
No use of a grinder for me. Just ran it to 90 psi and left it in the sun. After about 20 mins it set and then flipped it over to do the other side. Then just set psi to 40 and mounted it.
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American Legion Riders
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Wyoming
2008 Vulcan 900 Custom
Cobra Dragster Pipes
Cobra Fi2000
Classic Rear Fender
Running on the Darkside
This is why I like the darkside idea. I have over 7k on original tire and it's time to change it.
I wish I could find one for the custom's front 21 inch tire. A model T maybe?
These 5 yr old original Dunlops are getting pretty squirrely on me. I almost lost it turning into my street a while ago. Bad roads and worn tires don't mix.
2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT
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